Intro
Unlock the power of data visualization with Excel circle plots! Learn 5 easy ways to create stunning circle plots with xy coordinates, including bubble charts, radar charts, and more. Master Excels graphing capabilities and effectively communicate insights with these interactive, dynamic charts using xy data.
Creating a circle plot in Excel can be a useful way to visualize data, particularly for comparing proportions or showing relationships between data points. Here are five ways to create a circle plot in Excel using the XY chart type.
What is a Circle Plot?
A circle plot, also known as a circular plot or radial plot, is a type of chart that displays data in a circular shape. It is commonly used to show how different data points relate to each other or to a central point. Circle plots can be particularly effective for displaying cyclical data, such as time of day or day of the week.Method 1: Using the Built-in XY Chart Type
The easiest way to create a circle plot in Excel is to use the built-in XY chart type. To do this, follow these steps:- Select the data you want to plot.
- Go to the "Insert" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the "Scatter" button in the "Charts" group.
- Select the "Scatter with only markers" option.
- Right-click on the chart and select "Select Data".
- In the "Select Data Source" dialog box, click on the "Add" button.
- In the "Edit Series" dialog box, select the "Series X" and "Series Y" values.
- Click "OK" to close the dialog box.
Customizing the Chart
To customize the chart, you can right-click on the chart and select "Format Data Series". In the "Format Data Series" dialog box, you can change the marker type, size, and color. You can also add a title and labels to the chart.Method 2: Using a Combo Chart
Another way to create a circle plot in Excel is to use a combo chart. A combo chart is a combination of two or more chart types, such as a column chart and a line chart. To create a combo chart, follow these steps:- Select the data you want to plot.
- Go to the "Insert" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the "Combo" button in the "Charts" group.
- Select the "Clustered Column - Line" option.
- Right-click on the chart and select "Select Data".
- In the "Select Data Source" dialog box, click on the "Add" button.
- In the "Edit Series" dialog box, select the "Series X" and "Series Y" values.
- Click "OK" to close the dialog box.
Customizing the Combo Chart
To customize the combo chart, you can right-click on the chart and select "Format Data Series". In the "Format Data Series" dialog box, you can change the marker type, size, and color. You can also add a title and labels to the chart.Method 3: Using a Radial Chart
A radial chart is a type of chart that displays data in a circular shape. To create a radial chart, follow these steps:- Select the data you want to plot.
- Go to the "Insert" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the "More Charts" button in the "Charts" group.
- Select the "Radial" option.
- Right-click on the chart and select "Select Data".
- In the "Select Data Source" dialog box, click on the "Add" button.
- In the "Edit Series" dialog box, select the "Series X" and "Series Y" values.
- Click "OK" to close the dialog box.
Customizing the Radial Chart
To customize the radial chart, you can right-click on the chart and select "Format Data Series". In the "Format Data Series" dialog box, you can change the marker type, size, and color. You can also add a title and labels to the chart.Method 4: Using a Pivot Chart
A pivot chart is a type of chart that displays data from a pivot table. To create a pivot chart, follow these steps:- Select the data you want to plot.
- Go to the "Insert" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the "PivotChart" button in the "Charts" group.
- Select the "PivotChart" option.
- Right-click on the chart and select "Select Data".
- In the "Select Data Source" dialog box, click on the "Add" button.
- In the "Edit Series" dialog box, select the "Series X" and "Series Y" values.
- Click "OK" to close the dialog box.
Customizing the Pivot Chart
To customize the pivot chart, you can right-click on the chart and select "Format Data Series". In the "Format Data Series" dialog box, you can change the marker type, size, and color. You can also add a title and labels to the chart.Method 5: Using a 3D Chart
A 3D chart is a type of chart that displays data in three dimensions. To create a 3D chart, follow these steps:- Select the data you want to plot.
- Go to the "Insert" tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the "3D" button in the "Charts" group.
- Select the "3D" option.
- Right-click on the chart and select "Select Data".
- In the "Select Data Source" dialog box, click on the "Add" button.
- In the "Edit Series" dialog box, select the "Series X" and "Series Y" values.
- Click "OK" to close the dialog box.
Customizing the 3D Chart
To customize the 3D chart, you can right-click on the chart and select "Format Data Series". In the "Format Data Series" dialog box, you can change the marker type, size, and color. You can also add a title and labels to the chart.Circle Plot XY Chart Image Gallery
In conclusion, creating a circle plot in Excel can be a useful way to visualize data and compare proportions or show relationships between data points. There are five methods to create a circle plot in Excel, including using the built-in XY chart type, a combo chart, a radial chart, a pivot chart, and a 3D chart. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best method will depend on the specific needs of your data and your audience.